Auburn QB Coach Gives Fall Camp Update: ‘Best Group of Quarterbacks as a Whole I’ve Coached’

The value of the quarterback position to any football team can not be overstated.

It can be the reason a team has the ability to compete for a championship or it can be the reason a team struggles to look competent.

Auburn did not get everything it was hoping to out of Payton Thorne and the quarterback position as a whole last season. It hopes to see that change this year.

The Tigers' quarterbacks coach Kent Austin talked about what he has seen from the group during fall camp so far.

"First of all I think we have a great room of guys," Austin said. "Probably the best group of quarterbacks as a whole that I've coached so far as individuals. The level of preparation, the desire to be good and to study to make sure that when they enter the field they are ready."

Austin talked about the development of Payton Thorne from this time a year ago to now.

"He has a complete command of defensive recognition, a complete command of pressures, a complete command of protection," Austin said. "He sets all of our protections for us, he is a very intelligent and smart quarterback."

Austin talked about the effect that Thorne has on the players around him.

"When the defensive front or secondary shows a particular pressure and they're disguised, Payton (Thorne) picks it up immediately and gets us in the right protection," Austin said. "That's obviously going to generate confidence with the guys up front.

Auburn opens up the season at home against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs on Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m. CT. The broadcast can be found on ESPN+/SEC Network+.